Oshawa, Ajax dominate new COVID cases in Durham – first Omicron case dominates headlines

COVID-19 cases in Durham Region dropped slightly to 36 yesterday while news of the first case of the Omicron variant’s arrival in Durham offered an ominous look at the future.

Oshawa (11 new cases) and Ajax (10 new cases) dominated the new case numbers in Durham. A second person has been sent to the ICU, though it is unknown if that person was the one diagnosed with the new variant.

Clarington reported seven new cases Wednesday. No other community reported more than four. There are now 219 active cases in Durham Region.

There are two workplace outbreaks – including one at a fitness centre – and eleven school and day care outbreaks involving 32 children. Nineteen of those are from still-closed EE Corpus Christi in Oshawa.

Long-term care homes in Durham are still COVID-free.